Safety deposit box



A g- 4, 1931. c. G. HALSTEAD 1,817,002

- SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX Filed April 21. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l 7 Inventor C'hariea 6.]Yalsfead Aug. 4, 1931. c. G. HALSTEAD SAFETY DEPOSIT Box Filed April 21, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 II. I-..

[n mentor Charzes Giffalsiead 4, 1931- c. G. HALSTIEAD 1 8l7,002

SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX Filed April 21, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Inventor 49 Charles G Hc'zlsfead Attorngy 4, 93 c. s. HALSTEAD 1,817,002

SAFETY DEPOSIT Box Filed April 21, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Charles G.falsiead 42' I 124mm Attarngy Patented Aug. 4, 1931 CHARLES G. HALSTEAD. OF KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX Application filed April 21,

The present invention relates to improvements in deposit and collection receptacles and has reference more particularly to a device for receiving valuable securities and the like.

One of the important objects of the present invention is to provide a safety deposit box wherein the same includes an electrical- 1y operated audible alarm which is normally inoperative, said alarm being caused to operate when the safety deposit box is raised or tilted with respect to a support on which the safety box .is placed.

A further object is to. provide a safety '1' deposit box wherein the audible alarm is caused to operate when the box is dropped by a carrier and the handle of the box is released.

A further object is to provide a safety deposit box which is of a fire proof as well as theft proof construction, means being provided whereby an authorized person can disconnect either of the circuit closing means associated with the box, the disconnecting means being concealed within the box so that access thereto cannot be had by any unauthorized person.

A further object is to provide a safety deposit box of the above mentioned character which includes an audible alarm that will at all times be'positive and efficient as Well as automatic in its operation, the box being further simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable, and further well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent as the nature of the invention proceeds, and when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application and in which like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the safety deposit box embodying my invention, showing the same in an open position.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the alarm housing arranged in one end of the box, showing the normal position 1928. Serial No. 271,833.

of the circuit closing means when the box rests on a table or other support, the cover for the box being shown in a locked position.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the box with the cover swung to an open position, the cover for the alarm housing being removed, and a portion of the asbestos lining for the interior of the box being shown in section.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through a portion of the cover for the box,

. showing the circuit closing means arranged therein, in a closed position, and also the mechanism for holding the movable contact away from the stationary contact.

Figure 5 is a sectional View, taken ap proximately on the line 5-5 of Figure 4, looking in the direction of the arrows, to more clearly disclose the manually actuated cam member and the movable contact that is carried by the cover for the box.

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of one of the sections of the handle provided for the hinged cover.

Figure 7 is a detail perspective View of the bell crank lever that is associated with the handle for holding a pivoted contact carried by the hinged cover inoperative.

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view of the cam member. I

Figure 9 is a similar view of the movable contact associated with the hinged cover.

Figure lO'is a detail perspective view of the pivoted contact arranged in the alarm housing.

Figure 11 is a detail of the vertically sliding plunger also arranged in the alarm housing for cooperation with the movable contact, and v Figure 12 is a diagrammatic View illustrating a circuit relation.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose ofillustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the i numeral 1 designates generally my improved safety deposit box, the same comprising the substantially rectangular shaped me' allic casing which is open at its top and is preferably constructed of cold rolled steel.

An outwardly stamped head 3 formed around the upper edge portion of this casing, as clearly indicated in Figure 1. A flanged hinged cover l is provided for the open top of the casing, the same being hinged at its rear edge as shown at 5, and the depending flanges of the cover engage over the respective sides of the casing for resting upon the head 3, as indicated more clearly in Figure 2.

A pivoted hasp (5 is carried by the forward edge portion of the cover if, for engagement over the keeper 7, arranged on the outer side of the front wall of lllQ casing 2, and a padlock 8 secures the hinged cover in a closed position, as also shown in Figure 2.

A vertical partition 9 is arranged in the casing 2. adjacent one end thereof for dividing the easing into relatively large an ticle receiving compartment 10 and an alarm housing 11. The walls of the compartment 10 are lined with an asbestos composition known as Transite, and which is used in fireproof constructions, and this fire proof lining is designated by the numeral 12. A dead air space is formed between this asbestos lining and the respective walls of the compartment 10 as shown more clearly at 13, in Figure 3.

V The compartment 10 provides a means for receiving valuable securities, jewelry and other articles to be protected against theft and tire, as well as against accidental displacement.

A laterally extending flange 14 is formed on the upper edge of the partition 9 and the same extends into the alarm housing 11. A perforated metallic plate 15 is secured to the opposite side of the alarm housing, in spaced relation with respect to the adjacent end wall 2, and the securing means for this plate is shown at 16 in Figure 3. This particular end wall of the casing 2 is also formed with a series of sound emitting openings shown at 17, in Figure 1.

A lid 18 is provided for the open top of the alarm housing and is adapted to rest on the upper edge of the perforated plate 15 and the flange 1-4 and appropriate securing means extends through the lid and the flange.

The a udiblc alarm comprises an electrical bell 19 secured on the perforated plate 15, for disposition within the alarm housing 11 and the mechanism for actuation of the electric bell will now be specifically described.

A dry cell battery 20 is secured in a rigit manner in the alarm housing 7, the same being provided with the usual contacts or terminals 21 and 22 respectively.

A wire .43 connects the electric bell with he contact 21 and the bell is grounded to he plate 15 and the casing 2.

Arranged for vertical slidable movement in the alarm housing 11 is the plunger rod 24, the lower end thereof being adapted to extend through a suitable opening provided therefor in the bottom of the alarm housing. The upper end of this plunger rod is slidable through a guide bracket 25, secured on the partition 9, and as is clearly shown in Figure 2, the upper end of the plunger rod is rounded. A pin 23 extends transversely through the lower end portion of the plunger rod for limiting the downward sliding movement thereof, and an additional pin 27 extends tnrough the intermediate portion of the plunger rod. An expansible coil spring 28 encircles the upper port'on of the plunger rod and is disposed between the guide bracket and the pin 27 for normally urging the plunger rod downwardly through the openings in the bottom of the alarm housing. However, when the casing rests flat on a table or other support, the pin will be held in its uppermost position against the tension of the coil spring 28, as shown in Figure 2. The purpose of this arrangeunnt will be presently described.

Hour in a suitable bearing and extending transversely through the partition 9 at a point above the plunger rod 24 is the shaft .29.

A hand turning key 30 is secured on one end of the shaft for disposition within the compartment 10. Secured on the other end. of the shaft for disposition within the alarm housing 11 is the hub or sleeve 31. A contact forming arm extends radially from this hub 31 for cooperation with the contact 22, in the manner to be hereinafter more fully described. A plunger engaging trip also extends radially from the hub 31 and a headed screw is threaded into the end of this radially disposed trip forming member. The manner in whica the headed screw 34 engages with the rounded upper edge of the plunger rod 2i, will be apparent when a detailed description of the operation of the switch is set forth later in the specification.

A lever 35 also extends radially from the hub 31 for actuating this switch and as is shown clearly in Figure 2, this lever extends at a point diametrically opposite the trip 33.

A retractile coil spring 36 is secured at its lower end to a suitable bracket 37 arranged in the bottom of the alarm housing 11. In the upper end of this retractile coil spring is secured the lower end of the link 88, the other end of the said link being operatively connected to the intermediate portion of the contact forming arm 32, and this is also shown very clearly in Figure 2 of the drawings.

The purpose of this retractile coil spring and the link 38 is to provide a means for normally urging the contact arm 32 in a downward direction toward the contact 22.

When the safety deposit is placed in a flat position upon a suitable support, a plunger rod 34 will be urged upwardly so that the rounded upper end will be engaged in the headed screw 34 of the trip member 33, to normally hold the contact 32, out of engagement with the stationary contact 22, thus the circuit to the electric bell 19 is opened.

Should the safety deposit box be raised off of its support or slightly tilted, the spring 28 will force the plunger rod 24 downwardly, and this will result in the upper end of the plunger rod being moved out of engagement with the trip member 253, and when this occurs, the coil spring 36 will move the contact arm 32 into engagement with the contact 22, thus closing the circuit to the electric bell l9 and continuousl ringing the bell to give an alarm that tlie safety deposit box has been moved from its position on the support. The alarm will continue to operate as long as the contact 32 is in engagement with the contact 22.

The safety deposit boxfurther includes the provision of an additional circuit closing mechanism for association with the handle provided for the cover and this addiwiththe apertured bosses 31, for receiving the threaded ends of thescrews. Additional internally threaded bosses 42 are formed at the outer. ends of the arms of the U-shaped sections for receiving fastening screws that extend through the top of the cover as shown at 43, in Figure 4, whereby said handle is rigidly attached to the cover 4.

A substantially bell crank lever 44 is pivoted at its bend on one of the transversely extending securin screws 45, that holds the sections of the handle together and the vertical leg 46 of this bell crank lever extends downwardly in one end of the hollow handle through a slot 47,'provided therefor in the top 4, and formed on the lower end of this leg is the laterally disposed foot 47, the purpose of which will be hereinafter more fully described.

The horizontally extending arm 48 of this bell crank lever 44 extends within the top portion of the hollow handle and a finger engaging lug 49 is formed on the outer end of this arm, and extends downwardly through a slot provided therefor in the bottom of the top portion of the hollow handle. In Figure 7 of the drawings, there is shown in detail, the construction of the bell crank lever.

A cover plate 50 is secured within the cover 4 in spaced relation with respect to the top thereof to provide the compartment shown at 51 and within which compartment is arranged the second switch of the circuit closing means for the electric bell 19 arranged in the alarm housing 11.

This switch construction includes a stationary contact 52, that is carried by the under side of the top of the cover 4. A bracket 53 extends downwardly into the compartment5l from the top of the cover 4, adjacent the stationary contact 52, and this bracket is bifurcated and journaled for rotation through the furcations of this bracket is one end of the transverse shaft 54. A vertically disposed flat strip of metal 55 is arranged on the shaft 54, for disposition between the furcations of the slotted bracket 53. The ends of this strip are twisted for disposition in a horizontal plane as more clearly shown in Figure 9 of the drawings and the inner horizontally disposed end 56 carries the contact 57 that is adapted for cooperation with the stationary contact 52, and the terminal 58 is associated with this contact 57 and the wire 59 connects the terminal with the contact 22 of the battery 20 as clearly shown in the drawings.

An expansible coil spring 60 encircles the other end portion of the transverse shaft 54, one end of the coil spring being secured to the outer horizontally disposed end 61, while the other end of the coil spring engages with the under side of the top normally holding the pivoted contact carrying strip in such a position that the contacts 57 will be in engagement with the stationary contact 52, to close the circuit to the electric bell 19.

A retractile coil spring 62 is secured at one end to the lower end portion of the leg 46 of the pivoted bell crank lever 44, the other end of this coil spring being secured to the under side of the top of the cover 4 cuit, there is provided a vertical stub shaft 63, that is journaled for rotation in a suitablebearing through the cover plate 50.

A hand turning key 64 is secured on the lower end of this shaft for disposition against the bottom face of the cover plate of the cover 4 for and which key is accessible when the hinged cover lis swung to an open position. Suitable means for limiting the rearward swinging movement of the cover with respect to the casing of the safety deposit box is provided, as shown at 65, in Figure 1. A laterally extending arm 66 is operatively associated with the upper end of the stub shaft 63, and carried by the outer end of this arm is the curved cam shaped trip 67, the same being disposed against the upper face of the cover plate 50 and within close proximity to the rear end of the pivoted contact carrying member mounted in the bracket \Vhen the safety deposit box is to be placed on a support, the key (ll is actuated to move the cam 67 into engagement with the rear end of the pivoted contact carrying member arranged in the compartment 51, so that the contact- 57 will be held out of engagement with the contact After this operation, has taken place, the compartment is filled with 'aluable securities, jewelry, money and other articles that are to be kept in the safety deposit box and then the hinged cover is locked by passing the hasp 3 over the keeper 7 and then applying the padlock 8 as shown in Figure 2.

Additional articles may be deposited in the compartment 10 after thy box has been closed by dropping such articles into the chute 68, that extends downwardly through the cover 4 ana the cover plate 50.

As heretofore described, and as long as the safety deposit box rests in a fiat horizontal position on a support, the plunger rod 24 will keep the contact 32 out of en gagement with the contact 22, thus maintaining an open circuit. However, as soon as the box is lifted or tilted, the spring 48 will force the plunger rod 2% downwardly, releasing the trip so that the spring 36 will move the contact 32 into engagement with the contact 22, thereby closing the circuit to the alarm and causing the bell to ring continuously until the lever is actuated to disengage the contact 32 from the contact 22.

The operation of the second switch mechanism that is associated with the handle and cover will now be described in detail. The first switch mechanism that is associated with tlr alarm housi. 11 rendered inoperative b turning the key 30 in one direction so that the link 38 will be disposed on the right hand side of the shaft. as will also the contact 32, so that there wll be no possibility of the contact 22 being brought into en p, ment with the contact during the carrying of the safety deposit box by a bank .lGSSHlgQl' or other person.

It will also be nece" ry to disengage the cam 6. from the rear end of the pivot carrying member that is pivoted in the bracket The person carrying the safe deposit box will naturally grasp the handle 39 and the finger engaging member 49 will be pressed upwardly so that the foot 47 engages with the rear end of the contact carrying member arranged in the housing 51, and as long as this foot .7 engages with the rear end of the contact carrying member, the contact 57 will be held out of engagement with the contact 52, thus maintaining the circuit to the electric bell open.

lVhen the person carrying the safety deposit box is held up by a highwayman, and the carrier releases his grip from the handle 39, the spring 62 will automatically move the bell crank lever ll to such a position that the foot 47 will be disengaged from the rear end of the contact carrying member that pivoted in the bracket 63 and the spring will simultaneously move the contact 57 into engagement with the contact 52, so that the circuit to the electric bell will be closed, thus causing the bell to continuously ring and sound an alarm that may be heard for a considerable distance.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description that I have provided a safety deposit box wherein the same is provided with an audible alarm that will at all times be positive and eliicient in its operation as well as automatic, and due to its simplicity, the safety deposit box can be constructed at a very low cost and will be strong and durable and furthermore of a fire-proof nature.

The electric bell will continue to ring until the box is unlocked by the owner or proper person, and the circuit to the bell may be broken from the inside by manipulating the key of the switch that has not been locked in an inoperative position.

lVhile I have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described what I claim as new is:

l. A switch construction for safety deposit boxes including a receptacle having plural compartments, divided by a partition wall comprising a shaft journaled through the partition walls having portions thereof projecting on the opposite sides of said walls, a hub se 'ured to the shaft on one side of the partition wall, a contact forming arm, and a trip arm radiating from the hub in spaced relation to each other, a terminal adapted to be operatively connected with an electric circuit disposed in the path of the contact forming arm, resilient means for urging the contact forming arm lnto engagement with said terminal, a plunger slidably supported on the my invention partition wall and normally engaging the trip arm, While the receptacle is resting on its supporting surface for holding the contact arm in open circuit position, and means associated With the plunger and responsive to the lifting of the receptacle to move the plunger free of the trip arm to permit the contact arm to engage the terminal and close the circuit, and a key mounted on the shaft on the other side of the partition Wall for manually holding the contact arm in open position.

2. A switch construction for safety deposit boxes including a receptacle having plural compartments, divided by a partition Wall comprising a shaft journaled through the partition walls havin portions thereof projecting on the opposite sides of said walls, a hub secured to the shaft on one side of the partition Wall, a contact forming arm, and a trip arm radiating from the hub in spaced relation to each other, a terminal adapted to be operatively connected with an electric circuit disposed in the path of the contact forming arm, resilient means for urging the contact forming arm into engagement with said terminal, a plunger slidably supported on the partition Wall and normally engaging the trip arm, While the receptacle is resting on its supporting surface for holding the contact arm in open circuit position, and means associated with the plunger and responsive to the lifting of the receptacle to move the plunger free of the trip arm to permit the contact arm to engage the terminal and close the circuit, and a key mounted on the shaft on the other side of the partition wall for manually holding the contact arm in open position, and said terminal positioned between the contact arm and the trip arm, and said contact arm of greater length than said trip arm so as to engage said terminal.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. CHARLES G. HALSTEAD. 

